I might be in a position to change to a co car in the near future, one option is the diesel vrs. It has to be a diesel, as I'll be whacking around 15 to 20k a year on it plus it's usually co car policy. I have read that there isn't that much between them in standard OE set up, but is that the case? What about a remapped diesel compared to a mapped tfsi? Alternatives are 320d and a guilietta 170, but I've been impressed with the octavia and wouldn't mind another

I've said this numerous times before on here. The CR isn't as quick, in particularly through the gears as the tfsi, and it just isn't as exciting to drive IMO. A remapped CR is about on par with a standard tfsi I would say having remapped my old one to make it bareable. Remaped tfsi vs remapped CR and the tfsi walks away...

The CR is a good engine though but just manage your own expectations if you're currently driving a tfsi.

Its different. Like a sports bike and cruiser, both can be enjoyable, but not in the same way. I like the fuel consumption on my Diesel, but the real advantage to me, as a frequent continental traveller, is the range that comes with it.

You'll miss the rush of a good petrol, but rush can become frenzy after a while in a good Diesel

I'm not a BMW fan but if you can get the new 320d on your co car scheme then I'd go for that over the diesel Octy, newer, better to drive, faster and better fuel economy. You'll probably only get a basic spec but it's still a cracking car.

I've recently gone from a TFSi to a diesel CR. in most of my driving I don't really miss it but i do miss my monthly thrash to keep the intake valves clean.

Obviously the petrol is 'better' but for me the increased performance just wasn't worth the money any more.

The only disappointment was my insurance going up when I'd expected a reduction......,

I'm not a BMW fan but if you can get the new 320d on your co car scheme then I'd go for that over the diesel Octy, newer, better to drive, faster and better fuel economy. You'll probably only get a basic spec but it's still a cracking car.

Not all necessary true. I traded my 320d in for my octy. MPG is identical. BMW better on motorway ,octy better round town = average is same.

BMW is not better to drive. Rear drive transmission is good but the ride is appalling. Run flat tyres are terrible. Performane for my 2008 BMW and 2012 octy are near enough identical. BMW diesels do feel slower though in real life despite what figures state. Their deisels do not have the same shove in the back that the VAG diesels do, they behave more like a petrol with a smooth progressive build up of torque.

BMW is very good but i have had 2 a 320d and a 330d and the way they deliver their power is strange. Very smooth but they do not feel how i always prefer my diesels to be i.e massive wall or torque.

Given the chioice of brand new 320d auto and brand new VRS CR DSG, it would be close, BMW may win it but not by much but if i had to pay for them then i would never have the BMW, It simply is no where near worth the £12000 extra no matter how you justify it and i have just had the previous one for the last 2.5 years.

Not all necessary true. I traded my 320d in for my octy. MPG is identical. BMW better on motorway ,octy better round town = average is same.

BMW is not better to drive. Rear drive transmission is good but the ride is appalling. Run flat tyres are terrible. Performane for my 2008 BMW and 2012 octy are near enough identical. BMW diesels do feel slower though in real life despite what figures state. Their deisels do not have the same shove in the back that the VAG diesels do, they behave more like a petrol with a smooth progressive build up of torque.

BMW is very good but i have had 2 a 320d and a 330d and the way they deliver their power is strange. Very smooth but they do not feel how i always prefer my diesels to be i.e massive wall or torque.

Given the chioice of brand new 320d auto and brand new VRS CR DSG, it would be close, BMW may win it but not by much but if i had to pay for them then i would never have the BMW, It simply is no where near worth the £12000 extra no matter how you justify it and i have just had the previous one for the last 2.5 years.

I think the new 3series would be a better choice of company car, private is obviously a different matter. I agree that the BM is not worth 12 grand more than the Octy but as a company car choice then the BM is the better option. I may alter my opinion when the Octy 3 comes out though!

By the way, I wouldn't have either as I'd have an Audi!!!

TBH, the Alfa Guilietta jtdm 170 is more interesting than either, and I have a thing about Alfas <<<<< but the BM is sensible slippers, the Octy just better becuase it is a Skoda and not the obvious choice.

I've aldo contemplated replacing the Octy with a newer used machine if there is a cash alternative, but have only got as far as a mkII scooby or a 156 GTA.... I could of course keep the Octy, and even budgeting £200 a month for maintenance etc it is still the cheaper option than a £5k BIK co car option and a shiot load more fun, after all you cant fit a K04 conversion kit to a leased car.

I think the new 3series would be a better choice of company car, private is obviously a different matter. I agree that the BM is not worth 12 grand more than the Octy but as a company car choice then the BM is the better option. I may alter my opinion when the Octy 3 comes out though!

By the way, I wouldn't have either as I'd have an Audi!!!

I really don't understand why, unless you really do appreciate better quality plastics and trim...for some reason Audi is soulless and almost bland, and the A4s' headlights look wrong.

I really don't understand why, unless you really do appreciate better quality plastics and trim...for some reason Audi is soulless and almost bland, and the A4s' headlights look wrong.

Granted, there are some A4s that look bland but that can be said for bog standard cars in most ranges, the look of a car is also a personal opinion, I loved the looks of my VRS but most of my mates couldn't stand it.

I really don't understand why, unless you really do appreciate better quality plastics and trim...for some reason Audi is soulless and almost bland, and the A4s' headlights look wrong.

Audi all the way for me, I have never desired a BMW, especially an entry level 320d rep mobile

I think the new 3series would be a better choice of company car, private is obviously a different matter. I agree that the BM is not worth 12 grand more than the Octy but as a company car choice then the BM is the better option. I may alter my opinion when the Octy 3 comes out though!

By the way, I wouldn't have either as I'd have an Audi!!!

The new ones have far lower co2 tax levels but remember this rate applies to the purchase price of the car so the BMW will still cost more probably. Still a great car though but not worth the money.

I got offered a brand new 2013 Audi A3 on lease for £250 per month for 2 years. That was bloody tempting.

I got offered a brand new 2013 Audi A3 on lease for £250 per month for 2 years. That was bloody tempting.

I looked at an A3 a few years ago. Depending on what offers are on at the time you can get some amazing PCP finance deals on them. Just depends what model they are trying to shift at that moment. I also got offered an amazing deal on a brand new 5 series and almost signed on the line before i remembered the whole point of switching my car was to save some money. Skoda fitted the bill nicely. I still cant believe how good the deal was from BMW so someone will get a new 5 series for a bargain.

Think the new model A3 on the MQB platform will be a great car. I really like the new TSI engines with cylinder deactivation. Very clever and could mean i may have a petrol option soon as opposed to diesel, as long as this formula is available on slightly more powerful petrol engines i.e around the 180-200bhp mark.

It was for a 2.0 TDI Sport model, 150bhp apparently.

It was for a 2.0 TDI Sport model, 150bhp apparently.

£250 a month over 2 years is pretty dam good. Think i would be tempted to be honest. I got quoted £270 for a 3 year deal when i looked at the current model a few years ago. It was a 170 bhp diesel with dsg in sport trim. I thought that was pretty good but ended up getting a 2nd hand golf instead. Cant remember why i went for the golf but it was a good car anyway and when i traded it in i hardly lost any money on it. Best car ive ever had for depreciation.

I havent read much about the new 150bhp engine but i would imagine its just an evolution of the last one so probably pretty robust etc. I would like to see the new model in the flesh 1st before i made a descision. Would like to see how much room there is for driver compared to current model.

Audi all the way for me, I have never desired a BMW, especially an entry level 320d rep mobile

TBH neither appeal mostly because of their "aspirational" image, shame as the 3 series is really very good to drive.

On a different tack, the Cupra R looks entertaining, I presume is has the bigger turbo version of the TSI engine? Then again, the Megane R265 isn't much of a step away, but not sure it would be much fun pounding up and down the M4 and M5 in one. I've done a comparison of a similar BIK threshold to car allowance, and I'd need something like the alfa to be cheaper than simply running my Octy and accruing a sizeable lump for service and repairs. Trouble is I've got used to the extra power, and anything less is going to be disappointing unless I just have something totally different, something to cruise in like an old V70 D5